Online platform for processing merchandise shipping

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and processor-readable storage media for processing merchandise shipping are provided to ensure that a supplier fulfills a purchase order in a manner that will keep a supply chain filled with the product based on a demand. For example, when a purchase order is generated, a timer can be activated. Within a predetermined period, the supplier can confirm fulfilment of purchase order through an online platform. Based on this confirmation and historical data collected for the supplier, a shipping location and other shipping parameters can be predicted by the online platform. If the timer is expired and no supplier&#39;s confirmation is received or if the supplier denies confirming the fulfilment of purchase order, a default operation is initiated. The default operation may cause canceling of purchase order or communicating to the supplier to resolve any issues.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an online platform for processingmerchandise shipping and, more specifically, to a system and a methodfor processing merchandise shipping from one or more suppliers to aretail store.

2. Introduction

Traditionally, businesses find it advantageous to operate with smallinventory levels to minimize storage costs and accommodate risks ofprice or demand changes. To maintain small inventory level, businessesmaintain supply chains involving selected suppliers or vendors. Theselected suppliers can supply certain goods to a business to fulfill ademand. Many large businesses, such as retail stores, often sendpurchase orders to their suppliers in a repeated manner. The businesseshave little to no control or insight into when the suppliers accept thepurchase order. A supplier may not currently have the goods to fill anorder, but expects to in several days. The supplier may delayacknowledging the purchase order for several days, increasing lead timesfor the business.

In addition, the businesses expect that their suppliers submit routingrequests for carrier assignments in response to the purchase orders.Traditionally, it is for a business to collect purchased goods from asupplier. In a routing request, a supplier can indicate an expected pickup date, pick up location, as well as a nature, weight, and volume ofconsignment. In response, the business arranges for the delivery of theconsignment from the supplier. The supplier keeps the consignment readyfor a carrier to pick up on the scheduled date and time.

Suppliers and business often face challenges with routing and shipping.For example, a ready-to-ship routing and shipping are traditionallyhighly manual processes vulnerable to errors and omissions. It is commonthat when a routing request is entered late by a supplier, servicedeadlines are missed, which drives down in-stock and on-shelfavailability of certain goods. Moreover, short shipping by a supplier isoften not discovered until receipt by the business. In addition,suppliers selecting non-optimal shipping pick-up locations can result inincreased lead times, increased transportation costs, and missed serviceexpectations.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storagemediums for improved processing of merchandise routing and shipping,which overcome at least some drawbacks known in the art. An exemplarymethod for processing merchandise shipping can include: maintaining anonline platform accessible by selected suppliers and a merchant;receiving, through the online platform, a purchase order of themerchant, the purchase order indicating at least a supplier and aproduct; in response to receiving the purchase order, activating a timerfor counting elapsing time of a predetermined period; determining if aconfirmation message is received, through the online platform, from thesupplier within the predetermined period and in response to the purchaseorder; if it is determined that the confirmation message is receivedwithin the predetermined period, determining if the purchase order is tobe fulfilled by the supplier based at least on the confirmation message;based at least on the determination that the purchase order is to befulfilled by the supplier, predicting a shipping location of the productbased on historical data; and causing shipment of the product from theshipping location.

An exemplary system for processing merchandise shipping can include adatabase storing historical data associated with past shipments andpurchase orders; and a server maintaining an online platform accessibleby selected suppliers and a merchant, wherein the server is configuredto: receive, through the online platform, a purchase order of themerchant, the purchase order indicating at least a supplier and aproduct; in response to receiving the purchase order, activate a timerfor counting elapsing time of a predetermined period; determine if aconfirmation message is received, through the online platform, from thesupplier within the predetermined period and in response to the purchaseorder; if it is determined that the confirmation message is receivedwithin the predetermined period, determine if the purchase order is tobe fulfilled by the supplier based at least on the confirmation message;based at least on the determination that the purchase order is to befulfilled by the supplier, predict a shipping location of the productbased on historical data; and cause shipment of the product from theshipping location.

An exemplary non-transitory processor-readable storage medium can haveinstructions stored thereon, which when executed by one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to implement a method forprocessing merchandise shipping, where the method comprises: maintainingan online platform accessible by selected suppliers and a merchant;receiving, through the online platform, a purchase order of themerchant, the purchase order indicating at least a supplier and aproduct; in response to receiving the purchase order, activating a timerfor counting elapsing time of a predetermined period; determining if aconfirmation message is received, through the online platform, from thesupplier within the predetermined period and in response to the purchaseorder; if it is determined that the confirmation message is receivedwithin the predetermined period, determining if the purchase order is tobe fulfilled by the supplier based at least on the confirmation message;based at least on the determination that the purchase order is to befulfilled by the supplier, predicting a shipping location of the productbased on historical data; and causing shipment of the product from theshipping location.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forthin the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosedprinciples. The features and advantages of the disclosure can berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and otherfeatures of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from thefollowing description and appended claims, or can be learned by thepractice of the principles set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated by way of an example andnot limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in whichlike references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example computer system environment for practicingmethods for processing merchandise shipping;

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram showing processing ofmerchandise routing and shipping according to one example embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method embodiment; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an example computer system which can be used toprocess merchandise shipping.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various configurations and embodiments of the disclosure are describedin detail below. While specific implementations are described, it shouldbe understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. Othercomponents and configurations may be used without parting from thespirit and scope of the disclosure.

The concepts and embodiments described herein are designed to ensure abusiness has appropriate measures to mitigate any delays within a supplychain from one or more suppliers as a result of errors or omissions inhandling and processing of routing requests, shipping, and delivery ofmerchandise. For purposes of this disclosure, the terms “merchant” and“business” can be used interchangeably and shall be construed to mean apurchaser or an organization that makes purchases of goods from one ormore suppliers. Some examples of “merchant” can include, but not limitedto, a retail store, a retailer, a wholesale merchant, a distributor, adealership, and so forth. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, theterms “supplier” and “vendor” can be used interchangeably and shall beconstrued to mean an organization that sells goods to one or moremerchants. Some examples of “supplier” can include, but not limited to,a manufacture, a warehouse, a distributor, and so forth. Furthermore,for purposes of this disclosure, the terms “goods,” “products,”“commodity,” and “merchandise” can be used interchangeably and shall beconstrued to mean tangible items that are a subject of sale from asupplier to a merchant.

The concepts and embodiments of this disclosure provide for an onlineplatform that can be controlled or maintained by a merchant. Suppliersof the merchant can access or visit the online platform. In someconfigurations, the online platform can include, host, be connected to,or be associated with a website that can be accessed by the suppliers.In other configurations, the online platform can be operativelyconnected to computers of the suppliers without the need to host awebsite. For example, the suppliers can exchange data with the onlineplatform using application programming interface codes generated, forexample, by software applications installed on computers of thesuppliers. In certain embodiments, the online platform is configured toprocess purchase orders of the merchant and routing requests of thesuppliers.

The online platform can be configured to generate, assist in generating,maintain, or receive purchase orders of the merchant. As used herein,the term “purchase order” refers to a commercial document, such as anelectronic document, generated by a merchant to a supplier, indicating aproduct type, quantity, and a price for a product that the supplier willprovide to the merchant. When a purchase order of the merchant isgenerated for a certain product, the online platform can maintain,store, or process the purchase order. For example, the online platformcan electronically send the purchase order to the supplier. In certainconfigurations, once the purchase order is generated or received by theonline platform, a timer is activated. The timer can be configured tocount passage a period of time according to a predetermined rule. Theterm “timer” may also mean a clock, a counter, and a stop-watch. Thetimer can count passage of time from zero to a value or from a valuedown to zero.

Within the predetermined period, the supplier can confirm fulfilment ofthe purchase order through the online platform. For example, thesupplier can access the online platform to respond to the purchase orderby sending a confirmation message. The confirmation message can informthe merchant or the online platform that the supplier can or cannotfulfill the purchase order of the merchant. In either case, the onlineplatform can inform or alert the merchant that the confirmation messageis received.

If the supplier indicates, in the confirmation message, that thesupplier can or will fulfill the purchase order, the online platform canpredict a shipping location of the product based on historical data. Forthese ends, the online platform constantly or repeatedly collects thehistorical information of one or more suppliers indicating pastperformance of the suppliers, past shipping data of the suppliers, pastrouting requests of the suppliers, and any other related information.For example, if a certain product is repeatedly purchased from aselected supplier, and the product is shipped substantially from one andthe same location, the online platform can predict that the product of anewly placed purchase order will be also shipped from the same locationand in the same amount. In addition, the dimensions of the shipment mayalso be predicted based on prior dimensional data for the type ofproduct and/or supplier.

If the supplier indicates, in the confirmation message, that thesuppliers cannot fulfill the purchase order or when no confirmationmessage is received within the predetermined period, as determined bythe timer, a default operation can be initiated by the online platform.The default operation can include canceling the purchase order,communicating to the supplier to request fulfilment of the purchaseorder, or sending an updated purchase order based on updated terms. Insome embodiments, the default operation can include establishing, at theonline platform, a predicted shipping location of a product of thesupplier based on historical data and causing shipment of the productfrom the predicted shipping location.

In certain embodiments, the online platform can be a part of a computermanagement system associated with one or more merchants. Accordingly,the embodiments of this disclosure improve the operation of computermanagement system by, at least, processing routing requests in responseto purchase orders and by minimizing the number of queries used to trackpurchase orders, routing requests, and shipments of products. Inaddition, the efficiency and speed of the computer system for processingtransactions and communicating with suppliers are improved. The computersystem does not need to waste resources tracking multiple open purchaseorders for the same item. This improvement of the operation of computermanagement system further constitutes a solution of a technologicalproblem existing in the art.

These examples and others will be further described as the illustrationsof the disclosure are described in detail below. While specificimplementations are described, it should be understood that this is donefor illustration purposes only. Other components and configurations maybe used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Inaddition, components, steps, and features described may be removed,added, or combined from the provided examples.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example computer system environment 100 forpracticing the methods for processing merchandise shipping. The computersystem environment 100 includes at least one merchant 105, one or moresuppliers 110, and a management system 115 (also referred to as a systemfor processing merchandise shipping). Each of merchant 105 and suppliers110 can include or are represented by a computing device such as adesktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, network computer,workstation, thin client, cellular phone, smart phone, user terminal,and the like. Management system 115 can also refer to a computing devicesuch as a server. Each of merchant 105, suppliers 110, and managementsystem 115 can be equipped with a network interface or a functionalityfor data communication over a data network. More particularly, merchant105, suppliers 110, and management system 115 can be operativelyconnected with one another via one or more data networks 120. Datanetwork 120 can refer to any wired, wireless, or optical network.

Management system 115 can include at least one processor and at leastone memory storing processor-readable instructions which, when executedby the processor, cause the management system, its components (e.g., theprocessor), or other elements to perform operations of the method ofprocessing merchandise shipping as described herein. For example,management system 115 can implement processing of merchandise routingand shipping. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, management system 115 caninclude an online platform 125 and a database 130. Management system 115or online platform 125 can include a timer to count passage a period oftime according to a predetermined rule. Online platform 125 can includeor be operatively associated with a website, a web service, an onlineservice, or their analogues for implementing at least some operations ofthe method of processing merchandise shipping as described herein. Forexample, online platform 125 can be associated with or host a web sitethat can be accessed by merchant 105 and suppliers 110. Online platform125 can be configured to provide a graphical user interface to displayone or more purchase orders to suppliers 110, receive inputs ofsuppliers 110 concerning purchase orders of merchants 105, and displaythe timer indicating remaining time until a predetermined period isexpired. For example, the graphical user interface can enable merchant105 to generate purchase orders and review confirmation messages. Inaddition, the graphical user interface of online platform 125 can enablesuppliers 110 to receive and review the purchase orders, as well asgenerate and send confirmation messages. In some configurations,suppliers 110 and merchant 105 should be authenticated or validatedprior to the access of online platform 125 (e.g., by checking usercredentials such as logins and passwords).

Database 130 is configured to store certain historical data associatedwith past shipments and past purchase orders. Accordingly, managementsystem 115 can be configured to collect the historical data from thepurchase orders placed by merchant 105, confirmation messages ofsuppliers 110, routing requests of suppliers 110, and any othercommunication or performance by merchant 105 and suppliers 110.

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram 200 showing processing ofmerchandise routing and shipping according to one example embodiment. Asshown in this figure, merchant 105 can include one or more merchantlocations 205 such as merchant's delivery locations, merchant'swarehouses, merchant's stores, merchant's storage locations, and soforth. Similarly, supplier 110 can include one or more supplier'sshipping locations 210. Each supplier's shipping location 220 can beassociated with a supplier's warehouse, supplier's storage, supplier'sstore, and the like.

Management system 115 of this disclosure is configured to electronicallycoordinate or manage purchasing, routing, shipping, and deliveringproducts from supplier 110 to merchant 105. In some configurations,management system 115 can enable merchant 105 to generate or place apurchase order and deliver the same to supplier 110. The purchase ordercan indicate one or more of the following: an identification of merchant105, an identification of supplier 110, a product type, a productquantity, a price, a shipping location, a delivery location, andoptionally other shipment or purchase requirements. As soon as thepurchase order is generated, management system 115 can alert supplier110.

Further, management system 115 can be configured to generate or receivefrom supplier 110 a confirmation message in response to the purchaseorder. The confirmation message can indicate one or more of thefollowing: an identification of merchant 105, an identification ofsupplier 110, a product type, a product quantity, a price, a shippinglocation, a delivery location, a shipping weight, a shipping dimensions,and optionally other shipment requirements. As soon as the confirmationmessage is generated or received, management system 115 can alertmerchant 105.

In response to the confirmation message, management system 115 can causedelivery 215 from a selected supplier's shipping location 210 to aselected merchant location 105 according to predetermined settings,rules, or historical data. For example, management system 115 can beconfigured to select one or more vehicles and their parameters (e.g.,weight-carrying ability, vehicle capabilities, or vehicle dimensions)based at least on one of the purchase order, the confirmation message,and the historical data, for example, for the dimensions of the order.Further, management system 115 can direct, cause direction, navigate, orcause navigation of the selected vehicles to one of supplier's shippinglocations 210 and from supplier's shipping locations 210 to selectedmerchant location 105. Thus, for example, management system 115 causesdelivery 215 from supplier's shipping location “C” to merchant'slocation “B” based on the purchase order, the confirmation message, orthe historical data. Moreover, management system 115 can cause delivery215 even when there is no confirmation message from supplier 110. Forthese ends, management system 115 can cause delivery 215 based on thehistorical data.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process flow diagram showing an example method 300for processing merchandise shipping according to one embodiment. Method300 may be performed by processing logic that may comprise hardware(e.g., decision-making logic, dedicated logic, programmable logic,application-specific integrated circuit, and microcode), software (suchas software run on a general-purpose computer system or a dedicatedmachine), or a combination of both. In one example embodiment, theprocessing logic refers to management system 115 as described above.Below recited operations of method 300 may be implemented in an orderdifferent than described and shown in the figure. Moreover, method 300may have additional operations not shown herein, but which can beevident for those skilled in the art from the present disclosure. Method300 may also have fewer operations than outlined below and shown in FIG.3.

Method 300 commences at operation 305 with management system 115maintaining online platform 125 which is accessible by selectedsuppliers 110 and merchant 105 as described above with reference to FIG.1.

At operation 310, management system 115 receives, through onlineplatform 125, a purchase order of merchant 105. The purchase orderindicates at least supplier 110 and a product. The purchase order canalso indicate other information such as a price, product quantity,predicted shipping location, and delivery location, among others.

In response to receiving the purchase order, at operation 315,management system 115 activates a timer such as a timer for countingelapsing time of a predetermined period. As discussed above, onlineplatform 125 of management system 115 can display the purchase order andthe timer. Furthermore, management system 115 can optionally send atleast one first notification to supplier 110 when the purchaser order isreceived from merchant 105. Management system 115 can optionally sendreminders or other notifications to supplier 110 to inform that thetimer is about to expire or expired.

At operation 320, management system 115 determines if a confirmationmessage is received by management system 115 (or online platform 125)from supplier 110 within the predetermined period and in response to thepurchase order. As discussed above, the confirmation message can begenerated through the graphical user interface of online platform 125.Furthermore, management system 115 can optionally send at least onesecond notification to merchant 105 when the confirmation message isreceived from supplier 110. In some embodiments, the confirmationmessage includes a routing request of supplier 110.

If it is determined that the confirmation message is received within thepredetermined period, method 300 proceeds to operation 325 wheremanagement system 115 determines if the purchase order is to befulfilled by the supplier based at least on the confirmation message andoptionally the historical data. For example, the confirmation messagecan directly indicate that the purchase order is to be fulfilled bysupplier 110. The confirmation message can also indicate a shippinglocation, a shipping (consignment) size, a shipping (consignment)weight, and optionally any other information relevant to the product,routing process, or shipment process. Otherwise, if it is determined atoperation 320 that the confirmation message is not received within thepredetermined period, method 300 proceeds to operation 330 wheremanagement system 115 performs a default operation.

If it is determined at operation 325 that the purchase order is to befulfilled by the supplier, method 300 proceeds to operation 335. Atoperation 335, management system 115 predicts a shipping location of theproduct based on the historical data stored in database 130. Theprediction can be implemented based on one or more of the following: astatistical analysis of the historical data, a heuristic analysis of thehistorical data, a machine-learning analysis of the historical data, andthe like. If it is determined at operation 325 that the purchase orderis not to be fulfilled by the supplier, method 300 proceeds to thedefault operation performed at operation 330.

At operation 340, management system 115 causes a shipment of the productfrom the shipping location based on the purchase order and at least oneof the confirmation message and the historical data. For example, atoperation 340, management system 115 can generate one or more shipmentroutings for the shipping location based at least in part on thepurchase order. In addition, management system 115 can create one ormore routes, route lists, navigation instructions, and the like, orotherwise cause one or more vehicles to deliver the product from theselected supplier's shipment location to the selected merchant'slocation.

In additional embodiments, method 300 can include operations ofreceiving or collecting, by management system 115, shipping data fromone or more suppliers 110. The shipping data can indicate an updatedshipping location and a quantity of the product. For example, after theconfirmation message was sent, supplier 110 can update the shippinglocation or any other shipment parameters (e.g., shipment dimensions,weight, etc.). In response to the shipping data, management system 115changes the shipping location to the updated shipping location andcauses additional shipping of the product from the updated shippinglocation when the quantity of the product is less than a predeterminedthreshold.

Default operation 330 can include, for example, canceling of thepurchase order of merchant 105. In another configuration, defaultoperation 330 can include operations of establishing, by managementsystem 115, a predicted shipping location of the product based on thehistorical data and causing, by management system 115, shipment of theproduct from the predicted shipping location to the selected merchant'slocation. In yet another configuration, default operation 330 can causemanagement system 115 communicate to supplier 110 to request fulfilmentof the purchase order or sending an updated purchase order based onupdated terms.

In additional embodiments, method 300 can include operations offorecasting, by management system 115, a demand in the product based onthe historical data and, based on the demand, proactively generate oneor more new purchase orders to supplier 110. The forecasting can beimplemented using one or more of the following: a statistical analysisof the historical data, a heuristic analysis of the historical data, amachine-learning analysis of the historical data, and so forth.

In yet additional embodiments, method 300 can include operations ofcalculating, by management system 115, a fill rate of the product basedon comparison of a quantity of the product in the shipment and thequantity of the product in the purchase order. Based on the fill rate,management system 115 can proactively generate one or more new purchaseorders to supplier 110.

In yet additional embodiments, method 300 can include operations ofdetermining, by management system 115, dimensions and a weight of ashipment of the product from the shipping location of supplier 110.Management system 115 can be also configured to allocate one or more ofpredetermined vehicles based on the dimensions, the weight of shipment,and characteristics of predetermined vehicles (such as capabilities ofpredetermined vehicles). In some embodiments, the estimated dimensionsand weight of the shipment may be provided by the supplier. The supplierprovided dimensions and weight may be compared to the historical datafor the same or similar types of shipments. The historical data may beused to determine estimated dimensions and weight for the shipment. Apercentage of understatement and/or overstatement of thedimensions/weight may be allowed. Any values that fall outside of therange may be flagged for additional investigation. For example, theorder may call for 1000 cases of an item. The system can determineestimated physical characteristics of the 1000 cases. If one or more ofthe supplier provided physical characteristics fall outside of theselected percentage range, the order may be flagged as questionable, andmay be further investigated before acceptance by the merchant.

In yet additional embodiments, method 300 can include operations ofcapturing and storing, by management system 115, performance data ofsupplier 110 concerning the purchase order and one or more additionalpurchase orders. Management system 115 can further generate or updatethe historical data based on the performance data. The performance datacan include information indicating the actual shipment process and theactual delivery process from supplier 110 to merchant 105.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example computer system 400 which can be used toperform the method processing merchandise shipping as disclosed herein.Computer system 400 can be an instance of at least one of merchant 105,supplier 110, and management system 115 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Withreference FIG. 4, computing system 400 includes one or more processors410, one or more memories 420, one or more data storages 430, one ormore input devices 440, one or more output devices 450, networkinterface 460, one or more optional peripheral devices, and acommunication bus 470 for operatively interconnecting the above-listedelements. Processors 410 can be configured to implement functionalityand/or process instructions for execution within computing system 400.For example, processors 410 may process instructions stored in memory420 or instructions stored on data storage 430. Such instructions mayinclude components of an operating system or software applications.

Memory 420, according to one example, is configured to store informationwithin computing system 400 during operation. For example, memory 420can store instructions to perform the methods for processing merchandiseshipping. Memory 420, in some example embodiments, may refer to anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium or a computer-readablestorage device. In some examples, memory 420 is a temporary memory,meaning that a primary purpose of memory 420 may not be long-termstorage. Memory 420 may also refer to a volatile memory, meaning thatmemory 420 does not maintain stored contents when memory 420 is notreceiving power. Examples of volatile memories include RAM, dynamicrandom access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), andother forms of volatile memories known in the art. In some examples,memory 420 is used to store program instructions for execution byprocessors 410. Memory 420, in one example, is used by softwareapplications or mobile applications. Generally, software or mobileapplications refer to software applications suitable for implementing atleast some operations of the methods as described herein.

Data storage 430 can also include one or more transitory ornon-transitory computer-readable storage media or computer-readablestorage devices. For example, data storage 430 can store instructionsfor processor 410 to implement the methods described herein. In someembodiments, data storage 430 may be configured to store greater amountsof information than memory 420. Data storage 430 may be also configuredfor long-term storage of information. In some examples, data storage 430includes non-volatile storage elements. Examples of such non-volatilestorage elements include magnetic hard discs, optical discs, solid-statediscs, flash memories, forms of electrically programmable memories(EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable memories, and otherforms of non-volatile memories known in the art.

Computing system 400 may also include one or more input devices 440.Input devices 440 may be configured to receive input from a user throughtactile, audio, video, or biometric channels. Examples of input devices440 may include a keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball, touchscreen,touchpad, microphone, video camera, image sensor, fingerprint sensor, orany other device capable of detecting an input from a user or othersource, and relaying the input to computing system 400 or componentsthereof.

Output devices 450 may be configured to provide output to a user throughvisual or auditory channels. Output devices 450 may include a videographics adapter card, display, such as liquid crystal display (LCD)monitor, light emitting diode (LED) monitor, or organic LED monitor,sound card, speaker, lighting device, projector, or any other devicecapable of generating output that may be intelligible to a user. Outputdevices 450 may also include a touchscreen, presence-sensitive display,or other input/output capable displays known in the art.

Computing system 400 can also include network interface 460. Networkinterface 460 can be utilized to communicate with external devices viaone or more communications networks such as data network 120 or anyother wired, wireless, or optical networks. Network interface 460 may bea network interface card, such as an Ethernet card, an opticaltransceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, or any other type of devicethat can send and receive information.

An operating system of computing system 400 may control one or morefunctionalities of computing system 400 or components thereof. Forexample, the operating system may interact with the software or mobileapplications and may facilitate one or more interactions between thesoftware/mobile applications and processors 410, memory 420, datastorages 430, input devices 440, output devices 450, and networkinterface 460. The operating system may interact with or be otherwisecoupled to software applications or components thereof. In someembodiments, software or mobile applications may be included in theoperating system.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. Various modifications and changes may be made to theprinciples described herein without following the example embodimentsand applications illustrated and described herein, and without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

We claim:
 1. A computer-implemented method for processing merchandiseshipping, the method comprising: maintaining an online platformaccessible by selected suppliers and a merchant; receiving, through theonline platform, a purchase order of the merchant, the purchase orderindicating at least a supplier and a product; in response to receivingthe purchase order, activating a timer for counting elapsing time of apredetermined period; determining if a confirmation message is received,through the online platform, from the supplier within the predeterminedperiod and in response to the purchase order; if it is determined thatthe confirmation message is received within the predetermined period,determining if the purchase order is to be fulfilled by the supplierbased at least on the confirmation message; based at least on thedetermination that the purchase order is to be fulfilled by thesupplier, predicting a shipping location of the product based onhistorical data; and causing shipment of the product from the shippinglocation.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving,through the online platform, shipping data from the supplier, theshipping data indicating an updated shipping location and a quantity ofthe product; changing the shipping location to the updated shippinglocation; and causing additional shipping of the product from theupdated shipping location when the quantity of the product is less thana predetermined threshold.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:if it is determined that the confirmation message is not received withinthe predetermined period, causing a default operation.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the default operation includes canceling of thepurchase order.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the default operationincludes: establishing a predicted shipping location of the productbased on the historical data; and causing shipment of the product fromthe predicted shipping location.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein thedefault operation includes: communicating to the supplier to requestfulfilment of the purchase order or sending an updated purchase orderbased on updated terms.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: ifit is determined that the purchase order is not to be fulfilled by thesupplier based on the confirmation message, causing a default operation.8. The method of claim 7, wherein the default operation includescanceling of the purchase order.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein thedefault operation includes: communicating to the supplier to requestfulfilment of the purchase order or sending an updated purchase orderbased on updated terms.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the onlineplatform is configured to display the purchase order to the supplier,receive an input of the supplier concerning the purchase order, anddisplay the timer indicating remaining time until the predeterminedperiod is expired.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:sending at least one first notification to the supplier when thepurchaser order is received; and sending at least one secondnotification to the merchant when the confirmation message is receivedfrom the supplier.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:sending at least one third notification to the supplier when the timeris about to expire.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:forecasting a demand in the product based on the historical data; andbased on the demand, proactively generating one or more new purchaseorders to the supplier.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:calculating a fill rate of the product based on comparison of a quantityof the product in a shipment and a quantity of the product in thepurchase order; based on the fill rate, proactively generating one ormore new purchase orders to the supplier.
 15. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining dimensions and a weight of a shipment ofthe product from the shipping location; and allocating one or more ofpredetermined vehicles based on the dimensions, the weight of ashipment, and characteristics of predetermined vehicles.
 16. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: capturing and storing performance dataof the supplier concerning the purchase order and one or more additionalpurchase orders; and generating or updating the historical data based onthe performance data.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein theconfirmation message includes a routing request of the supplier.
 18. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: generating one or more shipmentroutings for the shipping location based at least in part on thepurchase order.
 19. A system for processing merchandise shipping, thesystem comprising: a database storing historical data associated withpast shipments and purchase orders; and a server maintaining an onlineplatform accessible by selected suppliers and a merchant, wherein theserver is configured to: receive, through the online platform, apurchase order of the merchant, the purchase order indicating at least asupplier and a product; in response to receiving the purchase order,activate a timer for counting elapsing time of a predetermined period;determine if a confirmation message is received, through the onlineplatform, from the supplier within the predetermined period and inresponse to the purchase order; if it is determined that theconfirmation message is received within the predetermined period,determine if the purchase order is to be fulfilled by the supplier basedat least on the confirmation message; based at least on thedetermination that the purchase order is to be fulfilled by thesupplier, predict a shipping location of the product based on historicaldata; and cause shipment of the product from the shipping location. 20.A non-transitory processor-readable medium having instructions storedthereon, which when executed by one or more processors, cause the one ormore processors to implement a method for processing merchandiseshipping, the method comprising: maintaining an online platformaccessible by selected suppliers and a merchant; receiving, through theonline platform, a purchase order of the merchant, the purchase orderindicating at least a supplier and a product; in response to receivingthe purchase order, activating a timer for counting elapsing time of apredetermined period; determining if a confirmation message is received,through the online platform, from the supplier within the predeterminedperiod and in response to the purchase order; if it is determined thatthe confirmation message is received within the predetermined period,determining if the purchase order is to be fulfilled by the supplierbased at least on the confirmation message; based at least on thedetermination that the purchase order is to be fulfilled by thesupplier, predicting a shipping location of the product based onhistorical data; and causing shipment of the product from the shippinglocation.